Bandage

Recovery

by Artist - 2017-08-29 20:59:42

It takes time to adjust.   Most importantly, don't fiddle with your PM and touch the area.  Keeping it clean and avoiding any infection is a priority.  Follow your post op instructions.  They vary quite a bit from doctor to doctor.  In my case, I was driving 3 days post op and had restrictions on lifting that said  no more than 5 lbs. weeks 1-2 and  no more than 10 lbs. weeks 3-4. It is typical to have discomfort sleeping on your left side and some PM members find small pillows and icing the incision area helpful.  The eventual goal is to just forget about your PM and resume your normal activities.  I resumed working out at my Senuor's exercise class 5 days a week one week after my surgery, and just avoided some of the weight lifting using my left arm.  

Like Artist said....

by MartyP - 2017-08-29 21:15:25

For now the key point is to to everything you can to avoid an infection.... 

The incision shouldn't be more than maybe 3 inches and the dressing should come off pretty easy.

If you are sqeemish, sit down and have some else take off the dressing.

But really important, if you think it might possibly be infected get to a doctor as soon as you can.

😊 Let us know how you do ......

Stay with us on this great website over the next weeks and if you have any concerns just ask.

People here have do much experience with everything PACEMAKERS 

Feeling the pacemaker

by LondonAndy - 2017-08-29 23:42:51

Don't worry, it is normal to be able to feel a pacemaker.  They are often implanted only just below the skin - I remember being surprised that as I pushed at mine it would move! 

A tip about scars if interested: after the incision had healed, ie after about 6 weeks, I rubbed "Bio Oil" onto my scar daily (well, most days) for over a year and this helps it to almost disappear.

You will be AOK

by Scout - 2017-08-30 13:14:50

Just follow the instructions your physician gave you.  The scar will be fine.  The fact that your heart and the rest of your body will be so much better than they were before are the main things to think about.  I had my pacemaker put in January of 2014; I feel so much better and parts of my body are much better because now I am getting improved blood flow.  You will be so much healthier than you were before  -  you will be thankful for the day the surgery was done.  I did nothing to my scar and it looks fine.

well

by The real Patch - 2017-08-31 12:38:40

I hate to inform you it's unlikely you'll be invited to be on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, I know they rejected me. but other than that, what's to worry about? When you take that bandage off Friday you'll have a bump under the skin with a thin line scar. Over the next few weeks, the bump will go down quite a bit, and in some cases isn't even noticable. Did you know that Julie Bowen an actress on the sitcom modern family has a pacemaker? Nobody even notices. So stop worrying everything will be fine.